Health Encyclopedia

Search Adult and Children's Health Encyclopedia

What Do You Know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

Chlamydia, herpes, and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Millions of new STD infections occur in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. Take this quiz to find out more about STDs, as well as how to protect yourself from them.

1. STDs are most common in which age group?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Nearly half of all STDs occur in people ages 15 to 24, according to the CDC. Other age groups are not immune, however. Whenever people have unprotected sex with multiple partners, or the partner of a monogamous person has sex with multiple people, the risk increases for STDs. These diseases affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels.

A. Teens and young adults up to age 24B. People ages 30 to 45C. People 60 and olderD. All of the above

2. The overall number of cases of STDs is:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Although some STD infections are much lower in number than they have been, the overall number of STD infections is rising, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) says. This is mostly because young people have become sexually active at an earlier age, yet they are marrying later. Also, divorce is more common today than it was in the past. These factors mean that sexually active people are more likely to have several sexual partners during their lives. Having multiple sex partners is a major risk factor for getting STDs. Research has also found that people with an STD are 2 to 5 times more likely to get HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. They are more likely to pass HIV on to others.

A. RisingB. FallingC. About the same as it has always beenD. None of the above

3. As long as a person has no symptoms of an STD, he or she:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Most STDs cause no symptoms. If a person has had multiple sex partners during his or her life, he or she is at risk for getting an STD. If a person is infected with an STD, he or she can pass it on to a sex partner—even if no symptoms are present. If you have more than one sex partner, or if your partner has had more than one partner, experts recommend that you get screened for STDs.

A. Cannot pass on an STDB. Doesn't have an STDC. A and BD. None of the above

4. Which of these is a health problem that can be caused by STDs in women?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Health problems caused by STDs tend to be more severe and more frequent for women than for men, the NIAID says. This is because women are more likely to get HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. They also may not know they are infected until serious problems have developed. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when STDs spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes. PID can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The human papillomavirus infection, which causes genital warts, can cause cervical cancer and other cancers of the reproductive system. In addition, a pregnant woman with an STD can pass the disease on to her baby. Some of these illnesses can cause permanent disabilities or death.

About 2.8 million new cases of chlamydia are reported each year, according to the NIAID. Untreated chlamydia can lead to PID in women. Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms, however. It is treated with antibiotics. Because so many people have chlamydia, the CDC now recommends that sexually active female teens and young women, as well as older women at risk, be screened every year for this STD. The CDC also recommends that women who are treated for chlamydia be rescreened 3 to 4 months after treatment.

A. GonorrheaB. SyphilisC. ChlamydiaD. Genital warts

6. One symptom of genital herpes is:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is a viral infection that has no cure. The blisters or sores in the genital area usually go away within 2 to 3 weeks, the NIAID says, but the virus stays in the body. The sores or blisters may come back from time to time. A tingling or burning in the legs, buttocks, or genital area usually happens just before the blisters show up. Medicines are available to treat the symptoms of genital herpes, but these drugs do not get rid of the virus. Other STDs caused by viruses also have no cure.

A. Tingling or burning in the genital areaB. Painful blisters in the genital areaC. A and BD. None of the above

7. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. What problem has occurred recently in treatment?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Because of this, the CDC recommends only 1 class of antibiotics to treat gonorrhea – the cephalosporins. The most common symptom of gonorrhea is a discharge from the vagina or penis and painful or difficult urination. Women with gonorrhea can develop PID, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Overall, STDs that are caused by bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.

A. Antibiotics have been in short supplyB. The bacteria that cause gonorrhea have become resistant to certain antibioticsC. People have developed an allergic reaction to certain antibioticsD. All of the above

8. Which major organ can be affected by untreated syphilis?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Although the first symptoms of syphilis are mild, this STD eventually can be fatal if it isn't treated. The first symptom is a painless sore called a chancre that can show up near or on the genitalia, the mouth or anus, or on the hands. Advanced syphilis can take years to reach. It involves the heart and central nervous system. Syphilis is treated with penicillin.

A. HeartB. BrainC. LiverD. A and B

9. Which of these are other types of STDs?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Chancroid (pronounced SHAN-kroid) is an STD caused by bacteria. It occurs in the U.S. in periodic outbreaks, but it is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Like genital herpes and syphilis, the first symptom of chancroid is an open sore on the genitals. Lymph nodes in the groin become painful. Scabies is a skin infection with a tiny mite. It is fairly common and highly contagious. It can be spread through sexual contact but also can be passed on by nonsexual contact with skin, infested sheets, towels, and furniture. Scabies causes intense itching, particularly at night. Small red bumps or lines appear on the body where the female scabies mite has burrowed into the skin to lay her eggs. Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection that most often affects young children, who pass it to one another through saliva. In adults, the virus is passed on sexually. Symptoms are sores on the genitals, lower abdomen, buttocks, or inner thighs. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, or HTLV, can be passed from one person to another not only through sexual contact but also through blood. This is a rare disease in the U.S. It is mostly found among intravenous drug users and people who have genital ulcers or a history of syphilis.

A. ChancroidB. ScabiesC. Molluscum contagiosumD. HTLVE. All of the above

10. The cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be spread by sexual contact and also by:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

CMV is a member of the herpesvirus family. It is spread not only by sexual contact, but also by other forms of contact, the NIAID says. The virus is found in saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids. Because the virus is also often found in semen, as well as in secretions from the cervix, it can be spread by sexual contact. People in a day-care setting who care for children 3 and younger are at higher risk for getting CMV. The virus doesn't spread easily. Casual contact with an infected person doesn't usually pass on the infection. Like other herpesviruses, CMV has no cure. But the virus usually stays inactive in the body.

A. KissingB. Sharing an office with an infected personC. Changing a child's wet diapersD. A and C

11. To lower your risk of getting an STD:

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Other ways include:

Don't have a partner who has other sexual partners.

Don't have sex with IV drug users.

Don't have sex with people who have, or who you think have, an STD.

The best way to avoid developing an STD is to avoid sexual contact with others. It is also important to get tested and treated for STDs to protect yourself and others.

A. Use a male condomB. Don't have multiple sex partnersC. As a young person, delay having sexual relations as long as possibleD. All of the above